Blog of the Protestant Reformed Young People

The Government’s Duty in Society

Recently the Supreme Court declared that gay marriage is legitimate in this country. Many in this country hail this decision as a great moment in our history and an end to hatred and intolerance toward homosexuals in this country., Gay activists and others or like mind believe the government did a great and wonderful thing by following the lead of such countries as Canada and Ireland that have legalized same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court did what many believe to be the right thing, but did this branch of the government do that which is right in the eyes of God? The answer to this question is a firm “no”. Romans 13:3a states “For rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil.” The government’s duty is to protect law-abiding citizens from those who break the law. Promoting homosexuality means that Christian businessmen such as photographers, bakers and others who oppose gay marriage can and have lost their livelihoods on account of their stand against this evil. Furthermore, this practice can lead and in some cases has led to the abuse of young children on the part of those who practice homosexuality. Additionally, as time goes on, the church will be persecuted for its stand on this matter when it to obey chooses God’s Word over the dictates of political correctness. These practices are not only harmful to the church, they are also immensely damaging to society; there is the financial burden of the costs of extra medical treatment related to the unnatural lifestyle associated with homosexuality, not to mention the broken homes that children from gay households face. What does this mean for the Christian and his relationship to civil government? We need to submit to our God-given authorities in all good and lawful things. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1). Next we should pray that those in authority will repent of their sin of promoting homosexuality, unlikely as that may seem to us. We also should pray that the government allows us to worship according to our God-given consciences as long as we possibly can. “I exhort,therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks, be made for all men: For kings, and for all them that are in authority: that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty”(I Timothy 2:1,2). Once this period ends, we will be persecuted for our beliefs and because we will have to disobey the government when it tells to tolerate and accept these evils. This does not mean that we use tanks and high- powered assault rifles to achieve our ends, but it does mean that we “obey God rather than man” and suffer the consequences accordingly (Acts 5:29). In the meantime, despite the government’s failure to do its God-ordained duty, we still have to be obedient in all lawful things “not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience sake endure grief, suffering wrongfully ( I Peter 2:18b, 19). May God give us the grace to live in these evil times of the last days!